Petrolicious Shows The Awesomeness Of The Land Rover Defender: Video

When it comes to venturing off the beaten path, few vehicles compete with the Land Rover Defender. Its strong chassis holds a rugged, no-frills body that encapsulates a spartan interior that’s all motivated by a venerable V-8. Throw on a set of knobby tires and the SUV will go where few dare trod.

Also daring the path that few trod is freelance photographer Sean Reagan. He left his professional life and a sizeable salary in Washington D.C. in the foreign policy field for a nomadic-like life in central and South America. His partner, Mittie Roger, is a travel writer, making the couple a perfect pair for such a never-ending expedition.

Of course, the third member of the journey is Reagan’s 1995 Land Rover Defender 90 nicknamed “La Poderosa.” The name means “the powerful” and was given to “her” by the night watchmen that kept tabs on the parking lot where the Defender resided during off hours. Yep, Reagan and Roger refer to the Defender as a lady – though tougher than the average gal.

The Land Rover has been stripped down of all non-essential gear, leaving a beastly machine that’s built for overlanding. “I love the simplicity of the Defender. I mean, she’s a totally utilitarian vehicle,” Roger says. “She gets us where we need to go, whether that’s an off-road, difficult-to-reach place or whether it’s a long-distance trip on highways.”

Though it’s hard for most folks to imagine living such a go-anywhere lifestyle with no time clock or boss, the pair have adapted to the adventure over the last seven years. The Defender, on the other hand, was born for this.